LID May 16 2024 Candidate Questionnaires
Chris McCreight | State Assembly
1) Why do you want to represent your neighbors and fellow Brooklynites in Albany?
As the longtime Chief of Staff to Councilmember Justin Brannan, I am
looking to further all the progress this office has made. This includes continuing efforts
to improve living conditions at NYCHA, improve street safety, fully fund our public
schools, preserve and increase affordable housing stock, and bring back additional
resources to the district.
2) What difference will you make for your community? (100 words max) As a member of the
majority party in the Assembly, I plan on using my voice inside the room to ensure we as
a conference are promoting policies that benefit working New Yorkers. How will you support
and empower the LGBTQ+ community?
My job as a State Assemblymember would be to support laws protecting the LGBTQ+ community,
ensure state funding is adequate for causes related to the community including but not
limited to, healthcare, affordable housing, inclusive public education curriculums. I also
would be a public ally showing up in solidarity to events and rallies as well as calling out
anti-LGBTQ+ hate that may pop up.
How will you support and empower marginalized Brooklynites? (100 words max) It starts
by showing up and recognizing and supporting marginalized Brooklynites. I plan on
showing up in solidarity to events and rallies, co-sponsoring supporting legislation,
calling out hate of any form, and more.
3) Although you are running for a state legislative position, we recognize that our state
elected officials have an important voice in local political communities. With that in mind,
do you support the Brooklyn Can’t Wait slate of District Leader candidates and Brooklyn
Can’t Wait’s reforms to make our local party more accountable, transparent, inclusive,
and effective?
Yes, I am currently a District Leader and have the support of Brooklyn Can’t Wait.
Similarly, we recognize that our state elected officials have an important voice in national
political dialogue as well.
4) With that in mind, do you support the effort by hundreds of local
Democratic elected officials (including many LID leaders) to call for an immediate ceasefire
in Gaza, a release of all hostages, and for the US to bring all its effort to bear toward a
lasting and just peace in Israel/Palestine?
The 46th Assembly District is home to thousands of Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers, including one of the largest
populations of Holocaust survivors in the United States. My job as an Assemblyman would not
directly involve foreign policy, but would include protecting all New Yorkers from hate
including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. That said, it is my belief that the United States must
be focused on three things: 1) The immediate release of all hostages, 2) The removal of the
terrorist organization Hamas from control of Gaza and 3) An end to the cycle of violence in the
region starting with a humanitarian ceasefire once all hostages are freed.
5) Do you support the Gender Identity, Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act (GIRDS)
(A709A/S2860)? Yes
6) Do you support the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) (A4021/S568B)? Yes
7) Do you support expanding New York’s Gender Affirming Care Shield Law (A7687/S7506)?
Yes
8) Do you support the Decriminalizing Sex Work/Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act
(SVSTA) (A8605A/S4396)? No
9) Do you support the New York Health Act (A7897/S7590)? Yes
10) Do you support the Repeal STI Discrimination Act (A3347/S4603)? No
11) Do you support the Rest of State Housing Act (A2418/S183)? Yes
12) Do you support legislation that mandates Comprehensive Sexuality Education (A4606)?
Yes
13) Do you support legislation that ensures youth access to health care (A6761)? Yes
14) Do you support creating an LGBTQI-Inclusive curriculum? (A4375/S351)? Yes
15) Do you support legislation requiring local school districts to establish policies and
procedures regarding the treatment of transgender and gender-non conforming students
(A4576/S1532)? Yes
16) Do you support protecting the 340B Safety Net? Yes
17) Do you support the Protecting the Rights of Juveniles During Interrogation Act
(A8923/S1099A)? Yes
18) Do you support creating an LGBTQ+ History curriculum for public schools
(A7672/S2428)? Yes
19) Do you support Good Cause eviction (A4454/S305)? N/A
20) Do you support legislation designed to make NY’s parole system more fair and less punitive – specifically the Elder Parole Act (A2035/S2423) and the Fair and Timely Parole Act (A162/S307)? Yes
21) Do you support legislation that would criminalize dissent and protest, specifically the legislation that would make blocking a public road “domestic terrorism” (A8951A) and legislation that would make disrupting a public meeting potentially punishable by jail time (A8334)? No to A8951A, Yes to A8334
22) If endorsed, do you commit to using LID’s full logo (will be provided) and full name on all materials and other places where you list endorsees (with the exception of lists of specific organizations (unions, etc) or elected officials)? Yes
23) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of the…” Yes
Ken Gayle | Civil Court Judge Kings County, 6th Municipal District
Campaign Site: www.gayleforjudge.com
Endorsements So Far: District Leaders: Boykin, Boomer, Purcell; Assemblywoman Walker
Judicial Screening Results So Far: N/A
What is your current position/law practice? If you are currently a judge, what did you do prior
to becoming a judge? Attorney/Private practice
1) Why are you qualified to be a judge?
11+ years of practicing law. Also my temperament has
been described as judicial. My entire career has been committed to public service and my
community. I have served as an appointment to the Civil Service Commissioner’s Screening
Committee. I have appeared before the NYS Appellate panel. My practice focuses on serving
local small businesses, churches, non-profits and my neighbors. I have served for six years
as the VP of the Bed-Stuy RE Board the local board of our national group NAREB dedicated
to increasing A-A homeownership.
2) What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges and court personnel
competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community? Participate in
sensitivity trainings and continue to utilize existing LQBTQ issue and policy education.
3) What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the interventions?
Support relevant initiatives from the Unified Court System.
4) How will you commit to ensuring that preferred pronouns and gender identity are respected
in your courtroom and on documents prepared by litigators and the court?
By personally asking litigants how they would like to be addressed and ensuring compliance with their
wishes.
5) Will you commit to appearing before the LGBT Bar Association (“LeGaL”) judicial screening
panel? Do you understand that this club may rescind your endorsement for failure to appear
or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association? Yes
6) There are many aspects of the legal system that have contributed and continue to contribute
to inequality and injustice (mass incarceration, right-wing anti-democracy judges, etc.) What
would you do in your role as a judge to build a more just and fair legal system?
As a 46y/o African-American male, I have committed my life to breaking harmful stereotypes about
minorities and protected groups. Besides the symbolisms, I personally deal with race based
inequality daily and have become adept at identifying issues and addressing them. As a
judge I will remain focused on equality and how government ensures it citizens are treated
equal.
Janice Robinson | Civil Court Judge Kings County, 6th Municipal District
Office Sought:
Civil Court Judge Kings County – 6th Municipal District
Campaign Site:
Moore Consultancy Corp – 1655 Bedford Ave Ste 200 Bklyn NY 11225
Endorsements So Far:
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Senator Zellnor Myrie,
Assemblymember Robert Carroll, Council Member Crystal Hudson, Council Member
Mercedes Narcisse, Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, Council Member
Shahana Hanif, District Leader Akel Williams, Former Assemblymember James
Brennan, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Party, Central Brooklyn Independent
Democrats, Real Action Community Democrats
Judicial Screening Results So Far:
Approved - Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) Screening
1) What is your current position/law practice? If you are currently a judge, what did you do
prior to becoming a judge?
Senior Litigation Counsel – Travelers Insurance Company
2) Why are you qualified to be a judge?
As a civil litigator for the past 20+ years, my practice brings me to the courthouse
regularly. Appearing before many of the judges in Kings County has given me a unique
perspective and made me very aware of what makes a judge effective. The right
temperament, professionalism, knowledge of the law, the ability to listen, respect for the
litigants, and, for Kings County, the ability to move cases along in a civil part that easily
has a calendar of 100 cases or more on any given day.
3) What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges and court
personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community?
To respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community, judges and court personnel
must be aware of whether the person (s) they are interacting with is a member of that
community. The onboarding process for all court staff, including judges should include
training specifically geared towards addressing the specific needs of the LGBTQ
community. Training on gender identity, expression and orientation will help increase
awareness and understanding and aid in creating a more welcome environment within
the judicial system. Having a trained “LGBTQ court advocate” can also help litigants feel
more at ease and assist with navigating the system without the barriers or hurdles that
often come with misunderstanding and judgement.
4) What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the
interventions?
I would gladly serve on any committee tasked with the development and
implementation of an onboarding process that includes this specialized training. I would
also encourage partnership with others to enlist the guidance and participation of
organizations dedicated to the equal treatment of the LGBTQ community (Legal Aid,
Legal Services NYC, NYCLU etc.)
5) How will you commit to ensuring that preferred pronouns and gender identity are
respected in your courtroom and on documents prepared by litigators and the court?
If allowed to do so, I would make it a requirement in my part and included in my court
rules. The court personnel in my court room would also be instructed to do the same.
6) Will you commit to appearing before the LGBT Bar Association (“LeGaL”) judicial
screening panel? Do you understand that this club may rescind your endorsement for
failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association?
Yes
7) There are many aspects of the legal system that have contributed and continue to
contribute to inequality and injustice (mass incarceration, right-wing anti-democracy
judges, etc.) What would you do in your role as a judge to build a more just and fair legal
system?
In my role as a judge, the most important and impactful thing I can do is remain
engaged, aware and concerned with the issues facing those that have been continually
marginalized and disenfranchised. I support and would work to provide more
community access to the court as a tool to educate Brooklynites about the judicial
system. Making sure the community is aware of the various court resources that are
currently available. Helping to secure more attorneys who are willing to volunteer their
time in the interest of unrepresented litigants. Overall, doing my part to make for a
better judicial system on and off the bench.
Turquoise Haskin, Esq. | Civil Court Judge, Countywide
Endorsements So Far:
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Kings County Democratic Party,
IND and CBID
Judicial Screening Results So Far:
LeGal Judicial Screening Panel- Highly Approved
Kings County Democratic Screening Committee- Qualified
1) What is your current position/law practice? If you are currently a judge, what did you do
prior to becoming a judge?
I am a Principal Court Attorney to a Kings County Supreme Court
Justice. I concurrently serve as a Special Referee of Uncontested Matrimonial Matters.
I volunteer as a Small Claims Arbitrator in Kings County Civil Court.
2) Why are you qualified to be a judge?
I am qualified to be a judge because I have extensive experience as a Court Attorney in both
Kings County Civil Court and Supreme Court. I have worked on thousands of cases that affect
hard-working Brooklynites, including personal injury, medical malpractice, mental hygiene,
foreclosure, labor law, commercial landlord-tenant, uncontested matrimonial matters and breach
of contract cases. I have also assisted transgendered individuals with name change
applications.
My work involves complex legal research, writing and analysis, resolving multitudes of
challenging disputes, and effective case management. I am well respected by the bench and
bar for my legal acumen, settlement skills and zeal for public service.
I also have experience in private practice, and at key governmental agencies, such as the NYC
Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York State Attorney
General’s Office, which have provided me with great insight on how a judge should lead in the
courtroom from a practitioner’s perspective.
3) What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges and court
personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community?
What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the
interventions?
The court should be a forum where all are welcome to seek legal redress openly and freely. It is
important for judges and court personnel to receive implicit bias training, and participate in
diversity and inclusion courses, to foster an environment of equality and respect. My staff and I
will attend such seminars to ensure that all attorneys/litigants are treated with dignity and
respect. I would like to attend diversity and inclusion courses/events with my staff. Moreover, I
would refer litigants to the Help Center (rm 404) at Civil Court, so that they can be informed of
all resources that they can utilize.
4) How will you commit to ensuring that preferred pronouns and gender identity are
respected in your courtroom and on documents prepared by litigators and the court?
I will review court filings to ensure that I use the proper pronouns when addressing litigants. I
will also employ gender neutral language to respect all litigants.
5) Will you commit to appearing before the LGBT Bar Association (“LeGaL”) judicial
screening panel? Do you understand that this club may rescind your endorsement for
failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association?
I was advised by LeGal judicial screening committee that candidates’ ratings are valid for two
election cycles. Consequently, the “Highly Approved” rating that I received last year is valid this
year for the 2024 election.
6) There are many aspects of the legal system that have contributed and continue to
contribute to inequality and injustice (mass incarceration, right-wing anti-democracy
judges, etc.) What would you do in your role as a judge to build a more just and fair legal
system?
I will carefully assess the facts and the applicable law for each case, to make a fair and just
determination. In a criminal context, when applicable, a judge can consider alternatives to
setting bail and incarceration, such as supervised release and drug treatment programs.
Tehilah H. Berman | Civil Court Judge, Countywide
Endorsements So Far:
Brooklyn Democratic Party, Independent Neighborhood Democrats, and Jim Owles Liberal
Democratic Club.
Judicial Screening Results So Far:
I was found “Qualified” by the Judicial Screening Committee of the Kings County Democratic
Party.
What is your current position/law practice? If you are currently a judge, what did you do
prior to becoming a judge?
Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Katherine A. Levine, Justice of the Supreme Court Kings
County.
1) Why are you qualified to be a judge?
I am qualified based upon my many years of broad legal experience. Upon graduating from
Brooklyn Law School in 1993 at age 23 until 2004, I practiced in the areas of employee benefits
and ERISA, general labor law, and employment law. My years of handling complex ERISA
issues in multifaceted transactional deals shaped me as a diligent and thorough attorney, able
to work on numerous issues at a time. As a mother of four young men, now ages 24 to 17, I
adjusted the trajectory of my professional life, from being an ERISA specialist to years at home,
then to pro bono criminal appeals and post conviction proceedings (2010-2014), and finally to
public service as a Principal Law Clerk to a Justice in the Civil Court (2015-2016) and Supreme
Court Kings County (2017-present). I have had experience researching in multiple areas of the
law over the past 30 years, think in a logical and unbiased manner, and write clearly and
succinctly. I possess the proper judicial demeanor - I will listen to every litigant carefully and
treat every person in the court fairly and free of bias, and with utmost consideration and respect.
I will ensure equal justice to every person who appears before me and work to combat inequity
in the justice system.
2) What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges and court
personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community?
What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the interventions?
Sensitivity training is required to ensure that the judiciary and court staff are educated and fully
understand the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, and that the court is safe and inclusive. I
will promptly address comments made in front of me by litigants or court personnel that evince
bias or discrimination and, if necessary, inform the department of the court designated to handle
such matters. In instructing the jury at the beginning and conclusion of trials, I would emphasize
that implicit bias and prejudice related to sexual orientation and gender identity may never play
a role in their determination of the facts.
3) How will you commit to ensuring that preferred pronouns and gender identity are
respected in your courtroom and on documents prepared by litigators and the court?
I will ensure that preferred pronouns are respected in my courtroom and on documents
prepared by litigators by addressing litigants and court staff with their preferred pronouns in oral
and written communications. Upon observing any form of misgendering or misidentifying by
other litigants or court employees, I would promptly correct them with utmost sensitivity toward
the affected individual, and, if necessary, report to the department of the court designated to
handle such matters.
4) Will you commit to appearing before the LGBT Bar Association (“LeGaL”) judicial
screening panel? Do you understand that this club may rescind your endorsement for
failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association?
YES and YES.
5) There are many aspects of the legal system that have contributed and continue to
contribute to inequality and injustice (mass incarceration, right-wing anti-democracy
judges, etc.) What would you do in your role as a judge to build a more just and fair legal
system?
As a judge in the Civil Court, Criminal Court, or Family Court, I would ensure that all individuals,
regardless of their background, receive equal treatment under the law. If I were in the Criminal
Court, I would advocate for restorative justice practices and community-based programs that
prioritize rehabilitation and healing over punitive measures and incarceration, especially for
nonviolent offenses. Furthermore, I would protect due process rights and prevent wrongful
convictions by conducting fair trials, properly instructing the jury, and issuing fair and reasonable
decisions. I understand that under-represented communities have, in the past, been prone to
receiving disparate treatment in the courts, but I am committed to combating this disparity.